overnight

[ adverb oh-ver-nahyt; adjective noun oh-ver-nahyt; verb oh-ver-nahyt ]

adverb

1. for or during the night:

   to stay overnight.

2. on or during the previous evening:

   Preparations were made overnight.

3. very quickly; suddenly:

   New suburbs sprang up overnight.

adjective

1. done, made, occurring, or continuing during the night:

   an overnight stop; an overnight decision.

2. staying for one night:

   a group of overnight guests.

3. designed to be used on a trip or for a journey lasting one night or only a few nights. night.
4. intended for delivery on the next day:

   overnight letters; an overnight package.

5. valid for one night:

   The corporal got an overnight pass.

6. occurring suddenly or within a very short time:

   a comedian who became an overnight sensation.

noun

1. Informal. an overnight stay or trip:

   Our daughter had an overnight at a friend's house.

2. Informal. a permit for overnight absence, as from a college dormitory:

   She had an overnight the night of the prom.

3. the previous evening.

verb (used without object)

1. to have an overnight stay or trip:

   We'll overnight in Denver, then fly on to San Diego.

overnight

adverb

1. for the duration of the night

   we stopped overnight

2. in or as if in the course of one night; suddenly

   the situation changed overnight

adjective

1. done in, occurring in, or lasting the night

   an overnight stop

2. staying for one night

   overnight guests

3. lasting one night

   an overnight trip

   an overnight bank loan

4. for use during a single night

   overnight clothes

5. occurring in or as if in the course of one night; sudden

   an overnight victory

verb

1. to stay the night

Word History and Origins

Origin of overnight¹

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; over-, night

Example Sentences

I remember all our music appeared on Spotify overnight, without anybody asking us.

From The Daily Beast

The quandary of whether to freeze eggs or not could become irrelevant overnight.

From The Daily Beast

It took 12 hours to rescue just 100 passengers overnight Sunday.

From The Daily Beast

Overnight on a New York City street, two artists might be creating their latest photo set, made entirely from discarded items.

From The Daily Beast

After last night's dinner, Will and Kate, still in evening dress, were whisked to JFK airport for an overnight flight home.

From The Daily Beast

The Annandale men deferred reply till the morrow, and slipped away to their homes overnight.

From Project Gutenberg

Our horses, which we had picketed in the open overnight, we saddled and tied out of sight in the brush.

From Project Gutenberg

Anoint the face with this, leave it on twenty or thirty minutes, or overnight if convenient, and wash off with warm water.

From Project Gutenberg

Cousin had regained his self-control overnight and outwardly appeared to be thoroughly composed.

From Project Gutenberg

Every time your eminence wants some, advise me overnight or the same morning, and I will conform to his desire.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brief
• interim
• limited
• makeshift
• momentary
• provisional
• short-lived
• transitory